Boulder Creek Could Be Diamond In The Rough In First Phase Of High Risk Derby Futures Wagering
By Warren Eves
What is our criteria for finding a diamond in the rough for the Derby?
We’re making reference to the Kentucky Derby to be run Saturday, May 1.
One of the most important factors is a colt’s “in traffic” prowess.
Our first phase of Kentucky Derby eligibles is available on www.pricehorsecentral.com.
NFL coaches have nothing on this pundit. Our Derby listings are the end result of literally hundreds of hours of video tape review.
Which brings us to our daily process of updating the Kentucky Derby list of possibles.
Boulder Creek was added to our top 20 list today off the strength of his Feb., 5 maiden win at Santa Anita Park. He was making his fourth career start but it was the kind of trip which earns respect in our Derby hunt process.
Boulder Creek had a most challenging journey. He was caught between horses in fourth on the first turn. Under Victor Espinoza, he was still between foes moving to the half. He knifed between foes on the second turn in professional fashion. Most colts would have chucked it by this point in the race, becoming discouraged with foes on both flanks.
Horses are more comfortable on the outside, or when making sweeping runs off the final turn. Years ago I asked famed Bill Shoemaker why horses are more comfortable on the outside. His answer? “They just are.”
Once in the stretch Espinoza had to go to work on Boulder Creek. He was lugging in and on the wrong lead. The colt responded. His graduation from the maiden ranks was anything but ordinary.
We went back and reviewed the three previous races of Boulder Creek. He was given a big order making his pari-mutuel debut off the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Oct., 17. Fourth in the early going he came across the difficult dirt track crossing like a consumate pro. Second mistretch he got a bit tired late while third. Not a bad first time ever outing.
They started him next in a maiden special weight race across town at Hollywood Park. He finished fourth to Twirling Candy. He was obviously struggling on that surface through the lane in a race where the promising Nextodoorneighbor was second. The latter holds a spot on my current roster of top 20 Derby prospects.
Boulder Creek showed up next in a maiden race on the lawn. He got over nicely before the first turn, raced in the slot, and waited for room to the top. Once again turning for home, he had to split horses while in tight to make his bid. Boulder Creek exhibited a nice trying and reaching style and lost the bob.
Trainer Craig Dollase gave him two months off until his game maiden win score on Feb., 5. This colt is under the radar in the Churchill Downs ‘ first phase Kentucky Derby Futures wagering. Eight of the 15 horses I listed on my 15-horse Kentucky Derby roster are not among the 23. The question we are pondering is Boulder Creek going to wind up being better on turf than on dirt?
One thing we know for certain. Boulder Creek has exhibited “in traffic prowess” in two of four lifetime races.
Notes scribbled across my program–Last year at Oaklawn Park you were almost guaranteed productive runs from horses who were able to make significant late gains to the wire. Even after the close of the Oaklawn meet horses shipped to many venues and produced positive runs. We mention this because in the first race at the Hot Springs oval on Sunday, Feb., 7, a 6-year-old two-time winner made up a gob of ground from the top to the wire. Shorty Small, who has yet to win at the oval in 9 previous starts, had only two rivals beat midway on the turn. He was at least eight wide turning into the lane and made huge late progress to lose in a photo. He was entered for a claiming price of $5K………………Took a second look at the win of Northern Giant over a sealed wet surface at Oaklawn Feb., 4. Second over the Giant’s Causeway colt took a short lead to the half. Turning for home the D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt widened with some right-hand tapping to win by many.
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